Volunteer with us

Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our staff to deliver the highest quality care and improving the experience of our patients and visitors. They sacrifice their time to help provide a warm and friendly environment and help our staff by assisting with services of a non-clinical nature which enhance patient care.

There are a number of voluntary roles, from welcoming patients and visitors and helping them to find their way around the hospital, to supporting our fundraising activities.

Becoming a Volunteer

Please be aware that volunteering is not work experience. Our volunteers do not carry out or shadow any clinical work, or gain any hands-on care experience.

Volunteering is an enriching and rewarding experience, helping to improve the lives of others and giving something back to the community. We would like to encourage people from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience to join our team of volunteers.

Volunteering is a commitment, so please ensure that you can commit to at least six months voluntary work before applying.

Before you can start in a voluntary role there is a registration process which involves a number of different steps:

Contact Volunteer Services

You will need to register your interest in volunteering with the Trust by completing our online application form. This lets us know a bit about you and your reasons for getting into volunteering, as well as your previous experience and specific skills.

Alternatively, if you would like to find out more about volunteering with us before you apply then please email us at voluntaryservices@boltonft.nhs.uk or phone us on tel: 01204 390560.

Interview

If we think that there may be a role available for you we will invite you in for an interview in order to work out whether you will be suitable for the role. If you are offered the role then a number of pre-employment checks will be made including the collection of two references from the referees provided on your form, Occupational Health clearance and Disclosure and Barring Service Checks. Once we have received satisfactory references and completed the necessary checks, we will contact you to arrange a date for you to attend our Volunteers’ Trust Induction.

Training & Induction

We want our volunteers to fulfil their potential and make a difference to our patients and staff, which is why our training programme is so important. As part of your registration you will attend a half day induction which will introduce you to the Trust and its values as well as providing some practical training which will be essential in undertaking your new role. On your first day of activity at the Trust you will be provided with a local induction to the department you will be working in.

All volunteers receive annual mandatory training in the following areas: Information Governance, Health and Safety Risk Management, Infection Control, Fire Safety, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children and Major Incidence. For positions that require specific training and support in specialised areas / departments we will provide specific training and support.

Hospital Guiding

New volunteers normally start with us as Hospital Guide Volunteers supporting visitors to the hospital. This role provides a good introduction to volunteering at Bolton NHS FT and you will have support to help you learn how things work. After three months your placement will be reviewed and other positions such as more clinical based placements may be offered if suitable.

We would like to encourage anyone who has an interest in volunteering to register with us; you will be guided through the process by Volunteer Services.